Frustrated Karlsson Speaks of Uncertain Penguins Future; ‘Whatever Happens…”

CRANBERRY — Erik Karlsson was the prize of the 2023 offseason. Like a day-early birthday gift for Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, new general manager Kyle Dubas acquired Karlsson in a sweeping blockbuster trade on Aug. 6, 2023.

That was probably the highlight of Karlsson’s Penguins career.

In two seasons, Karlsson has flashed that Hall of Fame talent. He possesses speed, limitless skills, and a keen vision with the puck, along with a hockey brain that can keep him a step or two ahead of the game.

And yet, he has underachieved with the Penguins. And the Penguins have badly underachieved with him.

“I think obviously (a quick rebuild like the Capitals) is what they’re hoping for, and that’s what Kyle is trying to do. You know, whether it works out or not, you never know,” said Karlsson. “I like this team here. I think that the two years that I’ve been here, we’ve underachieved. And the group that we have in here is capable of a lot more, and why we haven’t been able to get that out, that’s a question for someone else.”

The three-time Norris Trophy winner is frustrated. He came to the Penguins to chase a Stanley Cup with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, yet all they’ve chased in April are golf balls and plane tickets home. He’s also a smart human who thinks of life in the big picture and clearly understands the finite amount of time he has left to win a Stanley Cup.

“The urgency (to win a Cup) is still there. Obviously, I enjoy being here. I love my time here on a personal level. There are zero complaints,” Karlsson said. “I’ve been through this situation before, and I realize the magnitude of it, and I realize it’s a business, and whatever happens is going to happen. But again, all I can say is I’ve enjoyed everything here. Me and my family [sic], want it to work here.”

It’s been six long years since he had the chance. The last time Karlsson made the playoffs was San Jose Sharks‘ miraculous three-goal outburst during a five-minute major penalty late in the third period to win Game 7 over the Vegas Golden Knights way back in 2019.

San Jose lost in the Conference Final to the St. Louis Blues, who were on their way to winning the Stanley Cup, and Karlsson hasn’t had a sniff of the playoffs since.

It was supposed to be a rejuvenation for both the Penguins and Karlsson. He was to be the injection of a different element into the lineup that got the Penguins back to the playoffs.

Whoops. Last season, they missed by a few points but needed a near-perfect late charge to get that close. This season, there was no chance for a charge. They fell behind early, inched back into contention before playing abysmal hockey through January and February, and finished well out of the race.

Karlsson will be 35 years old and carries a salary cap hit that is two dollars shy of $10 million. Physically, he still wheels around the ice as well as he ever has. But in two seasons, his impact with the Penguins has been muted.

He has two more seasons remaining on that hefty contract, and the Penguins would certainly have no problem affording the defenseman next season or the next. The larger question is whether both sides want to stay together.

Karlsson has been coy this season, never firmly stating that he’s all in like Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell have. That probably speaks volumes, as does Karlsson remaining in Pittsburgh, as few suitors have emerged.

Even if Karlsson asks out this summer, there’s little guarantee that Dubas could make a deal work. Karlsson was so very good for Team Sweden in the Four Nations Face-Off, but only occasionally was he that same player with the Penguins. Other GMs notice those sorts of things.

Karlsson told PHN earlier this season that his play for Sweden was in part because of a system more designed for him. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has on occasion publicly challenged Karlsson to take his game to the next level.

“I think Erik has elite talent. He’s an elite player. He makes a handful of plays every game that most players can’t make, and that’s what Eric brings to the table,” Sullivan said Friday. “I think, just like our team, consistency has been the challenge. And when you have players of that caliber, you have high expectations. And so that’s the burden and responsibility that they bear of being elite players.”

Karlsson was quite good in December, on both ends of the rink, but things fizzled, just like the team, in January.

Friday was quite possibly the last time we got to speak with Karlsson as a member of the Penguins. It would seem that if a better situation is willing to make the trade, it will be done. Karlsson wants a Stanley Cup, and the Penguins need something different. The blue line was a glaring deficiency this season, and the team finished with the third-most goals allowed in the league.

With every answer Karlsson gave on clean-out day, you could feel Karlsson’s frustration.

“I think it’s been a tough year for everyone. Things haven’t gone the way that we expected or wanted them to. Personally, I think there’s been lots of ups and downs, a little too volatile, more than you would have liked. I would have liked to have kept a little bit more consistency throughout the season,” Karlsson said. “You know, I missed all our training camp, and struggled early on with my body. It started to feel better as the year went along, and it feels great now. So it’s unfortunate that it didn’t go the way that we were all hoping for. I think we have a good team in here. I enjoyed all of the guys in here on a personal level. It’s been a pleasure and we had a lot of fun, even though it has not been fun.”

And that seems a perfect description of Karlsson’s Penguins tenure. There’s been some fun, but it hasn’t yet been fun.

Video of the final minute of Karlsson’s interview is exclusive to PHN. It may not be quoted or used without consent.